When Educational Testing Service (ETS) was first approached by college librarians, professors, and administrators to develop an assessment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) literacy, there was a resounding concern: incoming students could use technology for entertainment purposes, but many did not have the ICT literacy skills to do…

Purpose: Previous studies (e.g., G. Wulf, M. HoB, & W. Prinz, 1998; G. Wulf, B. Lauterbach, & T. Toole, 1999; for a review, see G. Wulf & W. Prinz, 2001) have reported that limb motor performance is enhanced when individuals adopt an external focus (focusing on the effect of the movement) versus an internal focus of attention (focusing on body…

Northern Lights Vocational Services of Ontario (Canada) is an agency that grew out of a need for people to have access to vocational services on a local basis. It replaces traditional, facility-based testing technologies with new tools that can be used in a community setting. The agency has developed an approach to vocational evaluation and…

The purpose of this survey was to clarify some misconceptions and challenge some common practices in teaching golf skills. Over 100 research studies in golf have been reviewed and summarized. The following categories relating to the golf swing were examined: (1) grip; (2) videotape; (3) electronic golf swing analyzer; (4) teaching methods; (5)…

A discussion of Stephen Krashen's Monitor Theory (1982) of second language acquisition examines five main hypotheses: the acquisition-learning distinction, the natural order hypothesis, the monitor hypothesis, the input hypothesis, and the affective filter hypothesis. Several problematic elements of the theory are pointed out. The discussion…

Studies of over 100 chess players at varying skill levels and ages show the ways in which experts and nonexperts differ in problem-solving strategies. Important differences are found at all stages of problem solving. The most significant differences appear to be before and after the evaluation of alternatives ("sizing up" the problem,…

It is frequently maintained that creativity involves flexibility, spontaneity, and divergent thinking. Contrary to this commonly held notion, rules play a central role in creativity. For example, in art most work is not revolutionary but rather takes place within a framework of rules dictated by a tradition, a school, or a style. Skills, too, are…

The use of prediction equations can shorten the length of time necessary for testing shorthand skill, thus allowing more time for skill building. By administering one shorthand dictation test, it is possible to predict a person's skill at higher speeds and for longer periods of time. (KP)

Because of lack of knowledge of specific occupations in defense production, assessment of the impact of defense cutbacks on the economy has been difficult. This project was undertaken to determine which skills of industrial workers in missile production are transferable to nondefense industries and to anticipate manpower problems involved in mass…

Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, developed a secondary school teaching program called Teaching Skill Goals (TSG) which places the responsibility for skills development with the individual. The program emphasizes identification of specific segments of the teaching act most likely to be developed by short term efforts and a process…

A biomechanical analysis of the breaststroke is presented, applying hydrodynamic research to develop an understanding of propulsive forces acting to overcome resistance, and to intorduce modifications in stroke mechanics which would develop a more efficient psychomotor pattern. The applicability of the research to all swimming strokes is noted.…

The National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics has developed a list of ten basic processes in mathematics which all students need to learn. The back-to-the-basics thrust in education must address the development of these and other skills. (MJB)

This research uses a complex task (handwheel assembly) to enable comparison between the performance of mentally handicapped adults and adults from a "normal" population, in the acquisition of new work skills. Results add further support for the notion that the potential of mentally handicapped individuals is commonly underestimated. (Editor/RK)

This study examined the relationship between direct (essay) and indirect (objective) assessment of writing skills using 320 college students in remedial courses as subjects. Correlations and results of factor analysis are discussed. (MT)

The authors describe the development of a state competency statement for two categories of those entering nursing in future. The task force developing this particular statement was located in Ohio. (CH)